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CQESFUGHT DEPOSIT. 






THE "LITTLE WOMEN" 
PLAY 




^ 
^ 












THE 

"LITTLE WOMEN" 
PLAY 

A TWO-ACT, FORTY-FIVE-MINUTE PLAY • Adapted by 

ELIZABETH LINCOLN GOULD 

FROM 

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT'S 

FAMOUS S T O R r 

'^LITTLE WOMEN" 



^ 



mth Pictures by ■ REGINALD B. BIRCH 

Illustrator of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," 
The "Little Men Play," etc. 



Philadelphia: CURTIS PUBLISH- 
ING COMPANY. -Boston: 
LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY 



Copyright i igoOy by The 
Curtis Publishing 
Company, in the United 
States and Great Britain 

Copyright^ igoo, by 
John S. P. Alcott 






ALL RIGHTS 



lESER VED 



96755 



Library erf Congress 

Two Copies Received 
DEC 29 1900 

FIRST COPY 

2n(l Copy OeDvtred to 

ORDER DIVISION 

JAN 14 i.qni 



UNIVERSITY PRESS • JOHN WILSON 
AND SON • CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A. 



A SPECIAL WORD 



All rights in this play are reserved by the 
heirs of Louisa May Alcott. But permission 
is hereby granted to the readers of The Ladies^ 
Home Journal for an amateur production of this 
play, limited to one performance only. The 
request is simply made that there shall be printed 
on each program the following acknowledg- 
ment : " This play is produced by special 
permission oi The Ladies' Home Journal^ Miss 
Alcott's heirs, and the publishers, Messrs. Little, 
Brown, and Company." It should be ex- 
pressly understood that any and all kinds of 
professional performances of this play are for- 
bidden. 



COSTUMES >r PLAY 



Act One 

Meg : Dark blue gown, full skirt to floor, plain 
waist ; broad collar and cufFs. 

Jo : Same style as Meg, but little shorter skirt, 
brown or black ; red ribbon bow. 

Beth : Gray gown, plain, shorter than Jo's, 
ruffles at neck and wrists ; blue ribbons on 
hair and around throat. 

Amy : Bright blue gown, shorter than Beth's ; 
ruffles at neck and wrists, ribbon to match 
gown. 

Hannah : Calico gown ; big working apron. 

Laurie : Ordinary suit for boy of fifteen. 

Act Two 

Meg, Jo, Amy : Same as in Act One. 
Beth : Gray invalid's wrapper, blue ribbons. 



12 Costumes for Play 

Mrs. March : Travelling costume. 

Hannah : Same as in Act One. 

Laurie : Same as in Act One. 

Mr. Laurence : Dressed like an old gentle- 
man of seventy ; silk hat. 

Directions as to right and left are gi^en from the stagCy 
not from the audience. 



THE 

"LITTLE WOMEN 
PLAY 

The First Act 

[Marches' sitting-room. Few pictures on 
walls ; closet door about in centre of rear 
wall ; book-shelf, with bust on top, at left 
of closet door ; fireplace in left-hand cor- 
ner. Door in left wall for entrances and 
exits ; straight-backed chairs at right and 
left of door. At right of closet door, old 
piano, taking up corner space. Against 
right wall, small sewing-table ; at right, 
nearer front, big, old-fashioned rocking- 
chair. About in centre of room {enough 
toward left so closet door is not hidden). 



14 "Little Women" Play 

round tabUy four straight-backed chairs 
around it^ books on it. Warming-pan near 
fireplace. Curtain rises on Meg, Jo, 
Beth, and Amy seated about table. 
Each has white cloth badge tied around 
head^ with big "P. C" on ity over the 
forehead. Meg's letters are redy Jo's 
greeny Beth's blue^ Amy's gold. Amy 
is seated farthest at rights Meg next her, 
Jo nexty Beth farthest at left. All 
seated so that faces may be seen from 
audience. 

Meg 

{puts on spectacles without any glasseSy 
raps on tabky stares at Jo, who is tilting 
back in chair y till she brings chair legs to 
floor) 

Ahem ! As all the members of the 

famous Pickwick Club are now here 

I will proceed to read the first article 



"Little Women" Play 17 

in this issue of '^ The Pickwick Port- 
folio." It is by one of our most 
gifted members, Mr. Augustus Snod- 
grass. 

[Beth and Amy applaud vigorously. Jo 
coughs violently. Meg reads: 

Anniversary Ode, by A. Snodgrass 

" Again we meet to celebrate 
With badge and solemn rite 
Our fifty-second anniversary, 
In Pickwick Hall, to-night. 

" Our Pickwick, always at his post, 
With reverence we greet. 
As, spectacles on nose, he reads 
Our well-filled weekly sheet. 

" Old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high 
With elephantine grace. 
And beams upon the company 
With brown and jovial face. 
2 



1 8 "Little Women" Play 

" Next our peaceful Tupman comes^ 
So rosy, plump, and sweet, 
Who chokes with laughter at the puns. 
And tumbles off his seat. 

" Prim little Winkle, too, is here. 
With every hair in place, 
A model of propriety, 

Though he hates to wash his face. 

" The year is gone, we still unite 
To joke and laugh and read. 
And tread the path of literature 
That doth to glory lead. 

" Long may our paper prosper well. 
Our club unbroken be. 
And coming years their blessings pour 
On the useful, gay ' P. C " 

[Meg looks inquiringly over top of spectacles. 
Beth and Amy applaud. Jo has an- 
other fit of coughing. 



<( 



Little Women'' Play 19 



Meg 

(looks over paper ^ raps on table) 
I will read one more selection be- 
fore handing the paper to Mr. Snod- 
grass. The article I have chosen is 
a most valued one by our esteemed 
contributor, Mr. Tracy Tupman. 
LJo^^^Amy clap loudly ; Beth buries face 
in handkerchief. M eg reads : 
** The History of a Squash, by T. 
Tupman. Once upon a time a 
farmer planted a little seed in his 
garden, and after a while it sprouted 
and became a vine, and bore many 
squashes. One day in October when 
they were ripe he picked one and 
took it to market. A grocer bought 
it and put it in his shop. That same 



A 



20 ^^ Little Women" Play 

morning a little girl, in a brown hat 
and blue dress, with a round face and 
snub nose, went and bought it for her 
mother. She lugged it home, cut it 
up, and boiled it in the big pot ; 
mashed some of it with salt and but- 
ter for dinner, and to the rest she 
added a pint of milk, two eggs, four 
spoonfuls of sugar, nutmeg, and some 
crackers ; put it in a deep dish, and 
baked it till it was brown ; and next 
day it was eaten by a family named 
March." 
-s^J^Meg lays down paper ^ joins Jo and Amy 

in applause, Beth takes handkerchief 

from face. 

Meg 

I will now pass the paper to Mr. 
Snodgrass, with the request that he 




Jo 



"Little Women'' Play 23 

will read the touching article enclosed 
in black lines. 

Jo 

{melancholy voice) 

This article is entitled The Public 
Bereavement, and is unsigned. {Reads.) 
'' It is our painful duty to record the 
sudden and mysterious disappearance 
of our cherished friend, Mrs. Snow- 
ball Pat Paw. When last seen she 
was sitting at the gate, watching the 
butcher's cart, and it is feared that 
some villain, tempted by her charms, 
basely stole her. Weeks have passed, 
but no trace of her has been discov- 
ered, and we relinquish all hope, tie 
a black ribbon to her basket, set aside 



24 " Little Women Play " 

her dish, and weep for her as one 
lost to us forever." 

[Jo covers face with newspaper ; others 
cover faces with handkerchiefs. All sob. 

Jo 

(looks over paper ^ raps on table. Others 

stop sobs) 

I see among the advertisements a 
notice that the Dustpan Society will 
meet on Wednesday next and parade 
in the upper story of the Club House. 
All members to appear in uniform, 
and shoulder their brooms at nine 
precisely. 
[Jo lays down paper ; all give loud groans. 

Meg 

{takes paper and looks severe) 

I will now close by reading the 



"Little Women'' Play 25 

Hints for the week to come. {Reads.) 
" If Samuel Pickwick — ahem ! — 
did n't use so much soap on his hands 
he wouldn't always be late at break- 
fast. Augustus Snodgrass is requested 
not to whistle in the street. (Jo purses 
up lips^ then coughs) Tracy Tupman, 
please not forget Amy's napkin. 
(Beth nods) Nathaniel Winkle must 
not fret because his dress has not 
nine tucks." 
\All clap vigorously. 

Jo 

(rises^ strikes attitude with right hand 

resting on table) 

Mr. President and gentlemen, I 
wish to propose the admission of a 
new member — one who highly de- 



26 " Little Women " Play 

serves the honor, would be deeply 
grateful for it, and would add im- 
mensely to the spirit of the club. I 
propose Mr. Theodore Laurence as 
an honorary member of the Pickwick 
Club. {Changes tone.) Come, now, do 
have him ! 

[All laughy then look from one to another. 
Jo sits down. 

Meg 

We'll put it to vote. All in favor 
of this motion please manifest it by 
saying ''Ay." 

Jo 

{very loud) 

Ay. 

Beth 

{timidly ) 

6 ^y- 



"Little Women" Play 27 

Meg 

Contrary-minded say '' No/' 

Meg and Amy 
{loud) 

No. 

Amy 
{rises) 

We don't wish any boys; they 
only joke and bounce about. 

Meg 

{doubtfully) 

I'm afraid he'll laugh at our paper. 

Jo 

{rises and speaks earnestly) 

Sir, I give you my word as a gen- 
tleman, Laurie won't do anything of 
the sort. He likes to write, and 
he'll give a tone to our contributions. 



28 "Little Women'' Play 

We can do so little for him, and he 
does so much for us, I think the least 
we can do is to offer him a place 
here, and make him welcome if he 
comes. 

Beth 
{rises and speaks quickly) 
I say he may come, and his grandpa, 
too, if he likes. 

Jo 

(riseSy shakes hands with Beth, and re- 
turns to her own place) 

Now then, vote again ! Everybody 

remember it 's our Laurie, and say 

" Ay ! " 

All 

Ay ! Ay ! Ay ! 



" Little Women " Play 29 

Jo 

Good ! Bless you ! Now, as there 

is nothing like taking time by the 

fetlock^ as our friend Winkle observes, 

allow me to present the new member. 

\Goes to closet^ throws open door^ steps aside 

to show Laurie, sitting on a rag-bag^ 

laughing. 

Meg 

You rogue ! 

Amy 
You traitor ! 

Beth 
Jo, how could you ? 

Jo 

I could n't help it, friends and fel- 
low-members ! 



30 "Little Women" Play 

[Takes chair from left wally drags it to 

tabky seats Laurie in ity and ties on his 

badge — purple "P. C" on it — produced 

from her pocket ; resumes seat and folds 

hands. 

Meg 
{tries to frown) 
The coolness of you two rascals is 

amazing. 

Laurie 

{rises y bow s^ first to Meg, then to each of 

others) 

Mr. President and ladies — I beg 
pardon, gentlemen — allow me to in- 
troduce myself as Sam Weller, the 
very humble servant of the club. 

Jo 

(claps violently) 
Good! Good! 



"Little Women'' Play 31 

Laurie 
My faithful friend and noble patron 
(waves hand toward Jo), who has so flat- 
teringly presented me, is not to be 
blamed for the base stratagem em- 
ployed. I planned it, and she only 
gave in after lots of teasing. 

Jo 

Come, now, don't lay it all on 
yourself; you know I proposed the 
closet, 

Laurie 

{nods solemnly at Meg) 

Never you mind what she says. 
I 'm the wretch that did it, sir. But, 
on my honor, I will never do so 
again, and henceforth will devote my- 



32 "Little Women" Play 

self to the interest of this immortal 
club. 

Jo 

{runs to warming-pan^ clashes lid like 
cymbal^ 

Hear ! Hear ! 
[Meg bows graciously. 

Beth and Amy 
Go on ! go on ! 

Laurie 
I merely wish to say that as a slight 
token of gratitude, and to promote 
friendly relations between adjoining 
nations, I have set up a post-office 
in the hedge in the lower corner of 
the garden. It 's the old martin- 
house ; but I 've stopped up the door, 
and made the roof open, so it will 



''Little Women" Play 33 

hold all sorts of things. Letters, 
manuscripts, books, and bundles can 
be passed in there, and as each nation 
has a key it will be uncommonly nice, 
I fancy. Allow me to present the 
club key, and, with many thanks for 
your favor, take my seat. 

\_All applaud; Jo clashes lid of warming- 
pan. Laurie rises and bows with hand 
on heart many times. Finally Meg raps 
on table. 

Meg 
As I believe there is no further 
business to come before the club the 
meeting will now adjourn until one 
week from this afternoon. The new 
member, Mr. Weller, will please ap- 
pear at three o'clock on Monday next. 

3 



34 "Little Women" Play 

Laurie 

(hows to Meg) 

You may count on me, ma'am — 
I would say, Mr. President. 

\_All laugh. Amy gets upy takes off badge. 

Amy 
Good-by, everybody. I must go 
to my drawing. Laurie, I saw you 
yesterday on your new horse, and I 
must say you 're a perfect Cyclops. 

Jo 

[tears off badge ^ looks indignantly at Amy) 
How dare you say so, when he 's 
got both his eyes ! 

Amy 
{tosses heady moves toward door at left) 
I did n't say anything about his 
eyes, Jo March, and I don't see why 



"Little Women" Play 35 

you need fire up when I admire his 
riding. {Goes out door at left.) 
\^All laugh. Meg, Beth, and Laurie take 
off badges and put them in pockets. 

Jo 
That child means a centaur^ Laurie, 
and she called you a Cyclops. 
\All laugh again. 

Laurie 
How many of you girls will go for 
a drive with the Cyclops ? 

Jo 

{gayly) 

I '11 go, Teddy, and be delighted. 

Beth 

{wistfully) 

'^ I thought perhaps you 'd go to 
see the Hummels this afternoon, Jo. 



36 "Little Women" Play 

You know mother asked us not to 
forget them while she was away. 

Jo 
I can't, Beth ; it 's too raw for me 

with my cold. 

Beth 
I thought it was almost well. 

Jo 

{pinching Beth' s cheek) 

It 's well enough for me to go to 
drive with Laurie, but not well 
enough to go to the Hummels', Beth, 
dear. I '11 visit them to-morrow. 

Laurie 
Won't you go for a drive, Beth? 
It would do you good ; you look 
tired and pale. 




Beth 



r 



^^ Little Women" Play 39 

Beth 

{smiles faintly) 

Thank you, Laurie. I think I 'd 

better not. Meg, can you go to see 

the Hummels ? 

[Laurie stands with Jo in the doorway at 
lefty looking back at Beth. 

Meg 

{seats herself in rocking-chair at rights 
takes work from little table ^ begins to sew) 

No, I 'm too tired and too busy. 
Why don't you go yourself? 

Beth 

{rubs hands back and forth on table^ look- 
ing down) 

I have been every day. 



40 " Little Women " Play 
Jo 

{blows kiss to Beth) 

You 're a little saint ! Come on, 
Teddy ! 
[Jo and Laurie go out door at left. 

Beth 

{to Meg) 

The baby is sick and I don't know 
what to do for it. Mrs. Hummel 
goes away to work, and Lottchen 
takes care of it, but it gets sicker and 
sicker. 

Meg 

Well, dear, I '11 go to-morrow. 
You ask Hannah for some of that 
nice broth and take it around there ; 
the air will do you good. 



'' Little Women " Play 41 

Beth 

{rubs hands across eyes^ and starts slowly 
for door at left) 

My head aches and I 'm tired, so I 
thought maybe some of you would 

go- 

\_Stands a minute at door, then opens it, goes 
out. 

Meg 
{rocking) 

Beth is such a conscientious child ! 
I 'm sure mother did n't expect us to 
look after those shiftless Hummels 
every single day. Dear Marmee ! I 
suppose she 's having a beautiful time 
visiting all the patients in that hos- 
pital, and doing nice things for them, 
now that father is getting better and 



42 "Little Women'' Play 

she isn't worried. I ought to write 
my weekly letter this afternoon. 
[^RiseSy folds up work. Door at left opens 
to admit Hannah. 

Hannah 

{sleeves rolled to elbows ; rubs hands on 

apron; takes letter from skirt pockety and 

hands it to Meg) 

There, Miss Margaret, dear, I Ve 
been a-huntin' the house over for 
you. Here 's my letter to go in with 
the rest. I didn't know but you'd 
be sendin' to-night. 

Meg 
{takes letter^ 

Not till to-morrow morning, Han- 
nah. Has Beth gone to the Hum- 
mels' ? 



"Little Women" Play 43 

Hannah 

That she has, with a big bowl of 

broth, like the little dear she is ! ( 

Will you just read out my letter, till 

I see if it sounds all right ? 

[Meg opens letter ^ leans against t able ^ facing 
audience. Hannah, arms akimbo, looks 
over Meg's shoulder. 

Meg 

{reads) 

" Dear Mrs. March — '' 

Hannah 

{puts out hand for letter) 

You let me read it. Miss Margaret. 
I 'm more used to my own writin'. (5 

[Hannah reads rapidly^ holding letter in 

both hands. Meg watches her. 



44 " Little Women " Play 

Hannah 

{reads) 

'^ Dear Mis' March : I jest drop a 
line to say we git on fust-rate. Miss 
Meg is goin' to make a proper good 
housekeeper ; she gets the hang of 
things surprisin' quick/* 

Meg 

[smiles) 

Thank you, Hannah. 

Hannah 
That 's no more 'n you deserve. 
{Reads.) '' Jo beats all for goin' ahead, 
but she don't stop to calculate fust, 
and you never know where she '11 
bring up. She done out a tub of 
clothes last Monday, but she starched 
'em afore they was wrenched, and 



"Little Women" Play 45 

blued Amy's pink calliker, till you 'd 
a-died laughin' ! Beth is the best of 
little creeters, and a sight of help to 
me. Amy does well about frettin', 
wearin' her best clothes and eatin' 
sweet stuff. Mr. Laurie turns the 
house upside down frequent, but he 
heartens up the girls, so I let 'm have 
full swing. My bread is riz, so no 
more this time. I send my duty to 
Mr. March, and hope he 's seen the 
last of his Pewmonia. Yours respect- 
ful, Hannah Mullet." 
[_li ANN AH folds letter and hands it to Meg. 

Meg 
That 's very nice, I 'm sure, Han- 
nah. 



46 " Little Women " Play 

Hannah 
All right ; then I '11 go back to 
my work. / 
\Hurries out door at left. 

Meg 
And I '11 go and write my letter, 
now Hannah has set me such a good 
example. How Marmee will laugh 
over that account of us. 
\_Gathers up worky and goes out door at left. 

Meg 

[voice outside) 

Is that you coming in, Beth .? 

Beth 

{voice outside) 
Yes, it 's I. 

[Beth enters at left^ closes door^ walks 
slowly to tabky sinks into chair y lets head 



''Little Women" Play 47 

fall on table. Has on hat^ coaty and 
mittens. 

Beth 

{raises head^ takes off hat and mittens^ 
' lays them on table) 

Oh, I do feel so tired, and my head 
is so queer ! How I wish Marmee 
were here ! {Head drops again. She be- 
gins to cry softly ; then stands up and takes 
off coat ; looks irresolutely about her, and 
walks to closet ; opens closet door.) I think 
perhaps I ought to have some medi- 
cine, but I don't know what to take. 
There 's Marmee's camphor-bottle. 
( Takes camphor-bottle from top of medicine- 
chesty sits heavily down on rag-bag. Smells 
bottle and wipes eyes.) Maybe I shall 
feel all right in a little while. {Leans 
head against wall; shuts eyes.) 



48 "Little Women" Play 

\_Enter ]o at left ; hurries to closet^ starts 
back when she sees Beth. 

Jo 

{stoops over Beth) 

Christopher Columbus ! What 's 

the matter ? 

Beth 

{opens eyeSyputs out hand to warn off ^6) 

You Ve had scarlet fever, have n't 

you ? 

Jo 

(holds out arms to Beth and lifts her 

from rag-hag) 

Years ago, when Meg did. Why ? 

Beth 
{puts arm around Jo's neck. Buries head 
on Jo's shoulder) 

Then I '11 tell you. Oh, Jo, the 
baby 's dead ! 



"Little Women" Play 49 
Jo 

{pats Beth' s head) 

What baby, my precious child ? 

Beth 

{sobs) 

Mrs. Hummers ; it died in my lap 
before she got home. 

Jo 

{leads Beth to rocking-chair^ sits down^ 

takes Beth in lap) 

You poor dear, how dreadful for 
you! I ought to have gone myself! 
\_Rocks and soothes Beth. 

Beth 

{crying) 

It was n't dreadful, Jo, only so sad ! 
Mrs. Hummel had gone for the doc- 
tor, and I just sat and held the baby 



so "Little Women" Play 

softly till they came back. The doc- 
tor said the baby was dead, and looked 
at Heinrich and Minna, who have 
had sore throats. Then he said, 
** Scarlet fever, ma'am — ought to 
have called me before." Then all 
of a sudden he turned around, and 
told me to go home right away, and 
he was afraid I might have the fever. 

Jo 

(hugs Beth) 

No, you won't ! If you should be 
sick I could never forgive myself! 
What s/ia// we do ? 

Beth 
Don't be frightened, Jo, dear. I 
guess I sha'n't have it badly. But 
my head aches and my throat is sore. 



"Little Women" Play 51 

Jo 
If Marmee were only at home — 
Washington is so far away. I '11 call 
Hannah. She knows all about sick- 
ness. 

[Jo gets up^ puts Beth in rocking-chair ^ 
starts for door. 

Beth 
Don't let Amy come in ; she never 
had it, and I should hate to give it 
to her. 

[Closes eyes^ leans back in chair. 

Jo 

Selfish thing that I am ! {Goes out 
at lefty and is heard calling) Hannah ! 
Hannah, please come quick to the 
sitting-room ! 



52 ^^ Little Women" Play 

Amy 

{voice outside) 

What 's the matter, Jo ? 

Jo 
I '11 tell you in a few minutes. Stay 
upstairs, please, till I call you. 

[Enter HAN^NAUy followed by Jo and Meg. 
Hannah goes to Beth. 

Jo 

{breathlessly) 

Beth 's been to the Hummels' every 
day for a week, and this afternoon 
the baby died in her lap, and the two 
other children are sick, and it's scar- 
let fever. And the doctor sent her 
home, and was afraid she 'd have it ! 
Oh, Hannah ! 



^^ Little Women" Play 53 

Hannah 

{puts arm around Beth, helps her out of 
chair) 

Now, my lamb, I '11 tell you what 
we'll do; we'll just have Dr. Bangs 
take a look at you, and see that we 
start all right. I '11 get you to bed 
in your dear ma's room, and we '11 
send Amy off to your Aunt March's 
for a spell, and one of the others can 
stay at home and amuse you for a 
day or two. 

\_Puts arm around Beth, leads her toward 
door at left. 

Meg 
{follows) 

I shall stay, of course ; I 'm oldest. 



54 "Little Women" Play 
Jo 

{eagerly) 

I shall, because it 's my fault she 's 
sick. I told mother I 'd do the 
errands, and I haven't. 

Hannah 

[stops at door) 

Which will you have, Beth ? C> 

Beth 

[smiles faintly to ]o) 
Jo, please. 

Jo 

I '11 do my very best to amuse you. 
[Hannah and Beth go out at left ^followed 
by Jo. 

Meg 
Now I shall have to tell Amy. 




Am'j 



" Little Women " Play S7 

I ■ 

(Goes to door and calls,) Amy ! Please 
come down to the sitting-room. 
\_Enter Amy ^/ left. 

Meg 
{coaxingly) 

Now, Amy, dear, there 's scarlet 
fever at the Hummels' and Beth has 
been exposed to it. We 're afraid 
she will have it, and we want you to 
go to Aunt March's for a few days 
till — 

Amy 

{rushes to rocking-chair^ throws herself 
in it) 

I won't go ! I will not ! I 'd ten 
times rather have the scarlet fever than 
go to Aunt March's, and stay with 



58 "Little Women" Play 

her and that horrid parrot ! You 
know I would, Meg March ! 
\_Begms to cry. 

Meg 

{aside) 

I shall have to get Hannah to try 
and reason with her. {Goes out at left.) 

[Amy takes out handkerchief and cries. 
Enter Laurie at left. He looks at Amy, 
puts hands in pockets^ and walks about 
room, whistling softly and frowning. 
After a minute or two he stops behind 
Amy's chair, folds arms on back of chair, 
looks down at Amy. 

Laurie 

Now, Amy, do be a sensible little 

woman. Don't cry, but hear what 

a jolly plan I have. (Amy stops crying, 

but keeps handkerchief at eyes.) You go 



^^ Little Women" Play 59 

to Aunt March's, and I '11 come and 
take you out every day driving or 
walking, and we '11 have capital times. 

Amy 
{from behind handkerchief^ 
I don't wish to be sent off as if I 
were in the way ! 

Laurie 

{walks around in front of her. Hands in 

pockets again) 

Bless your heart, child, it's to keep 
you well ! You don't want to have 
the fever, do you ? I can tell you, 
miss, it 's no joke. 

Amy 
{taking handkerchief from eyes) 
No, I don't want scarlet fever. 



6o "Little Women" Play 

But it 's so dull at Aunt March's, and 
she 's so cross. 

Laurie 
It won't be dull with me popping 
in every day to take you out galli- 
vanting, and tell you how Beth is. 

Amy 
{hesitating) 

Will you — will you come every 
day ? 

Laurie 
{folds arms) 
On my honor as a gentleman ! 

Amy 
And bring me back the very min- 
ute Beth is well ? 




Laurie 



"Little Women'' Play 63 

Laurie 
The very identical minute, madam. 

Amy 

{gets up slowly) 

Well — I guess — I '11 go. 

Laurie 
{offers arm to Amy with low bow) 
Then may I have the pleasure, 
madam, of escorting you to your 
sister. Miss March, to say farewell 
and pack your bag, while I go to 
order the carriage ? 

Amy 
{makes sweeping courtesy) 
You may, sir. 
[Takes Laurie's arm; he whistles marchy 
and they march toward door at left. 
Curtain falls. 



64 "Little Women" Play 



The Second Act 

Four Weeks Later 

[_M arches' siuing-room. Same furniture as 
in Act ly only two chairs at table. Meg 
sewing in rocking-chair. Jo writings and 
Amy drawing at centre-table^ which is a 
little nearer right wall. 

Jo 

(throwing down pen\ and making blot on 

sheet of "paper y seizes blotter and soaks up 

ink) 

There ! that 's just Hke me ! and 
now I shall have to write that page 
all over again. Deary me, what a 
blunderer I am ! 



'^ Little Women" Play 65 

Meg 
Have n't you anything funny to 
tell, Jo ? It 's been such a dismal 
day. 

{Jeans back in chair ^ clasps hands behind 
head) 

Nothing seems dismal to me, now 
I know Beth is getting well, though 
I must say I wish Marmee was at 
home, as she would have been if 
father had n't had that relapse. I 
had a queer time with Aunt March 
to-day. I was reading that everlast- 
ing Belsham to her, and droning 
away as I always do till she drops 
off; then I take some nice book and 
read like everything till she wakes 

s 



66 " Little Women " Play 

up. To-day I made myself sleepy, 
and I actually yawned so she asked 
me what I meant by opening my 
mouth wide enough to take in the 
whole book at once. 

Meg 
{reprovingly) 

Oh, Jo ! 

Jo 

{nods her head) 

Those were her very words. Then 
she gave me a lecture, and told me 
to sit and think over her remarks 
while she just "lost herself" for a 
moment. The minute her cap be- 
gan to bob, like a top-heavy dahlia, 
I whipped "The Vicar of Wakefield" 
out of my pocket, and read away with 



^^ Little Women" Play 67 

one eye on him and one on Aunt. 
Pretty soon I came to a funny place, 
and forgot where I was, and laughed 
out loud. Aunt woke up, but she 
was more good-natured after her nap, 
and told me to read a little out of my 
book. 

Amy 
{astonished ) 

She did ! 

Jo 

Yes, and she liked it, though she 
only said, '' I don't understand what 
it 's all about. Go back and begin 
it, child.'' So back I went, and 
made the Primroses as interesting as 
ever I could. Once I was wicked 
enough to stop in a thrilling place, 



68 " Little Women '' Play 

and say meekly, '' I 'm afraid it tires 

you, ma'am; sha'n't I stop now?" 

She caught up her knitting, and gave 

me a sharp look through her specs, 

and said, {speaks gruffly) " Finish the 

chapter, and don't be impertinent, 

miss ! " 

Meg 

{laughing) 

Did she own she liked it ? 

Jo 
Bless you, no ! but she let old Bel- 
sham rest ; and when I ran back after 
my gloves this afternoon, there she 
was so hard at ''The Vicar" that 
she did n't hear me dance in the 
hall, to celebrate the good time 
coming. 



"Little Women" Play 69 

[_All laugh. Meg bends over sewings Amy 
draws. Door at left slowly opens; Jo 
turns head to see Laurie peeping around 
edge of door. Jo shakes finger at him. 

Jo 

Come in, Teddy ; what 's the 
matter ? 
\()thers raise heads and wave hands to him. 

Laurie 

{comes in softly^ closes door^ and tiptoes up 
to table) 
Where 's Beth ? 

Jo 

Fast asleep in her room. What is 
it? 

[Laurie bends over Jo, whispers in her ear. 
Jo gets up^ seizes him by both hands ^ and 
begins to dance around him. Amy lays 



70 "Little Women" Play 

down pencil^ stares at him. Meg throws 
sewing on table^ gets up and takes hold of 
JoV arm. 

Meg 

Jo March, what is it ? Tell me 
this minute ! 

. Amy 

And I want to know, too ! You 
look crazy, hopping around like that ! 

Jo 
I '11 tell you what it is. This boy 

{wrings Laurie's hands till he winces) and 
his grandfather have sent on a man 
to Washington to look after father 
for the next fortnight, till he 's strong 
enough to travel, so Marmee can 
spend the holidays with us. 



"Little Women" Play 71 

Meg 

{holds out hand to Laurie) 
How kind you both are ! 

Amy 
{clasps hands) 
How perfectly splendid ! \ 

Jo 

Is n't it ? Are n't they good ? 

Laurie 
{looks embarrassed) 

Oh, it 's nothing ; and see here — 
she 's — she 's coming to-night ! 

All 

{dancing up and down) 
To-night ! 



72 "Little Women" Play 

Laurie 

Yes, and grandfather said perhaps 
Meg would go down to the station 
with me for her. It will be time to 
start in about five minutes. I knew 
you 'd want to get Beth downstairs, 
Jo, and try to ^^ prepare her mind,'' 
as they say. 

Amy 

r 11 run and tell Hannah, and we 
will get Marmee's room ready for 
her. 

[Meg and Amy go out at left. 

Laurie 

I think Amy's stay at Aunt March's 
did her heaps of good, Jo, don't you .? 



^^ Little Women" Play 73 

.rf Jo 

Yes, I do, and Aunt March likes 
her, she has so much more tact than 
I have, and her manners are so much 
better. 

Laurie 

{loyally^ 

Your manners are first-rate. 

Jo 

[shakes her head) 

They'd pass muster for a boy, but 
they 're pretty queer for a girl, Teddy. 
Did Amy tell you about the will she 
made, when Beth was so ill, and she 
felt as if we were all going to die 
right away? 



74 "Little Women'' Play 

Laurie 

{nods) 

Yes, she got me to help her about 
it one day. I did n't want to laugh, 
but I had hard work not to, when the 
child told me she felt as if she ought 
to make it, for " life was uncertain, 
and she did n't want any ill-feeling 
over her tomb." 
l^Both laugh silently, 

Meg 
{opens door at left^ puts head in) 
I 'm ready, Laurie. 

Laurie 
All right; good-by, Jo. 

[Shakes hands with Jo, follows Meg out 
door at left. Jo gets rocking-chair^ drags 



'' Little Women " Play jj 

it to right of fireplace^ puts cushion in it. 
Takes down photograph on mantel. 

Jo 

{to photograph) 

You 've kind eyes, though your 
mouth is so grim, and you 've such a 
tremendous will of your own. {Puts 
photograph back on mantel. Stands^ leaning 
elbows on mantel^ looking at photography back 
toward door^ which has been left ajar.) 
You're not as handsome as my grand- 
father, but I like you — yes, I like 
you very much. 
\Enter Mr. Laurence, bouquet in right 

hand^ hat in left, 

Mr. Laurence 
Thank you, ma'am ! So you 're 
not afraid of me now, hey ? 



78 " Little Women " Play 
Jo 

{turns around^ looks as if she' d like to run 
away. Then advances^ holds out hand) 
No, sir, not a bit. 

Mr. Laurence 

{chuckles and shakes hands) 

I 'm glad to hear it, ma'am — glad 
to hear it ! Now, I thought as your 
mother's coming home to-night, per- 
haps you 'd like this little bunch of 
flowers to put on the table or some- 
where. {Holds out bouquet,) 

Jo 

{takes flowers) 

Little bunch! Why, Mr. Lau- 
rence, these are perfectly beautiful ! 
I '11 run and get a vase for them this 
minute. 



"Little Women" Play 79 

[^Hurries out at left. While she is out of 
room Mr. Laurence walks over to 
piano ^ puts hat on it ; runs fingers over 
keys ; turns to face Jo as she comes in with 
vase of flowers. 

Mr. Laurence 
So you don't think me as hand- 
some as your grandfather, hey? 

Jo 

{puts flowers in centre of table) 
Not quite, sir. 

Mr. Laurence 
And I 've got a tremendous will, 
have I ? 

Jo 
{puts hands behind her back, smiles at him) 
I only said I thought so. 



8o " Little Women " Play 

Mr. Laurence 
But you like me, in spite of it ? 

Jo 
[heartily) 
Yes, indeed I do, sir ! 

Mr. Laurence 
{gives short laugh^ holds out hand to her) 
You 've got your grandfather's 
spirit, my dear, if you have n't his 
face. {They shake hands warmly) 

Jo 

Thank you, sir. And oh, Mr. 
Laurence {touches piano), we have so 
many things to thank you for, be- 
ginning with last Christmas, and — 



"Little Women" Play 8i 

Mr. Laurence 

{walks toward table) 

Anybody with half a heart would 
have wanted to do something when 
he heard about the way you children 
trotted off with your Christmas break- 
fast to those poor people. 

Jo 

{rubs hand back and forth on edge of 

piano as she talks) 

Oh, that was only fun ; and Mrs. 
Hummel actually called us angels. 
If you were such a harum-scarum girl 
as I am — I mean if you were the 
kind of boy that I am — well, any- 
way, you 'd know you wouldn't have 
many chances to be called an angel, 
sir. 

6 



82 "Little Women" Pi 



ay 



Mr. Laurence 

[turning over books) 

My dear, I can't remember now 
that I Ve ever been called an angel, 
and I shall be seventy on my next 
birthday. 

Jo 

{stands up straight^ clasps hands behind 

back) 

Well, I '11 call you one now, sir, for 
that's just what you were to send 
Beth the piano, and — 

Mr. Laurence 

[tries to speak gruffly) 

There, there, child, that's enough! 
What I want to know is how you 
are going to prepare Beth for her 
mother's coming. You know the 



dL^x 




Hannah 



"Little Women'' Play 85 

doctor told you to be most careful 
about any sudden news or excitement 
for her, she 's still so weak. 

Jo. 

{clasps Mr. Laurence's arm^ speaks 

nervously) 

I know — you must help me — 
I '11 be very careful and slow about 
telling her, and calm — you see I 'm 
quite calm about it now, don't you ? 

Mr. Laurence 
We must — 

[Hannah suddenly bursts in door at left, 
followed by Amy. 

Hannah 

{loudly) 

Miss Jo, what spread would you 
like me to put on your dear ma's bed 



86 "Little Women" Play 

— the one with the roses or that one 
with the cornicupy pattern on it ? 

Amy 
{indignantly) 

I told her to put on the one with , 
roses, Jo. 

Hannah 
Miss Amy means well, but she 's ^ 
only a child. Which will it be. 
Miss Jo .? 

Jo 

[waves them off) 
The roses, I think. 

Amy 

There, Hannah ! I said the rose 
one myself. 
[Hannah hurries out ^followed by Amy. 



/ 



"Little Women" Play 87 

Mr. Laurence 

{has been staring at Hannah) 
Hannah seems a little excited. 

Jo 

Yes, and I 'm afraid Beth — oh, 
here she is ! 
\Enter Beth slowly at left. 

Beth 

I Ve had a long nap, Jo. What 
was Hannah talking so loud about ? 
{Sees Mr. Laurence, who has stepped back 
to piano.) How do you do, Mr. Lau- 
rence ? Oh, what beautiful flowers ! 
[Mr. Laurence shakes hands with her. 

Jo is patting up cushion in rocking-chair. 

Mr. Laurence 
I 'm glad to see my little girl look- 



88 "Little Women" Play 

ing so much better. Why, when 

your mother comes — 

[Jo has violent fit of coughing^ interrupts 
Mr. Laurence's speech. 

Jo 

Sit down here, Beth, dear. {Puts 
Beth in chair) You must n't get tired 
or excited, you know, because — 
[Mr. Laurence scowls^ Jo stops abruptly, 

Beth 

I can't think of anything that could 

excite me except Marmee's coming 

home, and that won't be for another 

fortnight. 

\Turns head away from Jo and Mr. Lau- 
rence with sigh ; leans back in chair. 




Mrs. March 



"Little Women" Play 91 

Jo 

Oh, well, of course a fortnight 
will soon pass, and perhaps she '11 be 
here before that — 
[Mr. Laurence shakes head at her. 

Beth 
Oh, no, you know she wrote we 
must n't expect her a bit sooner, 
much as she longed to be at home. 

(Closes eyes.) 

Jo 

(with look of despair at Mr. Laurence) 

Well, you see — I '11 go and bring 
the lamp : it 's getting dark. 
\Goes out at left. Mr. Laurence draws 

chair from left wall near Beth, takes 

hand and strokes it. 



92 " Little Women " Play 

Mr. Laurence 

You don't know how glad your 
old friend will be, my dear, when 
you 're able to run over and play on 
the big piano agaia. 
[Beth opens eyes while he talks. Turns 

head and smiles affectionately at him. 

Beth 
It will be so nice to be strong 
enough to play once more. I tried 
this morning, but my hands shook so 
I could n't keep them on the keys. 
It seems as if I must have been ill 
more than a month. 

Mr Laurence 
i^pats hand) 

I know it; it does seem a long 
time ; but as I wrote your mother — 



"Little Women" Play 93 

[^Enter Jo with lamp ; coughs loudly^ and 
sets lamp on table. 

Beth 

(anxiously) 

Jo, dear, have you taken cold ? 
You seem to be coughing so much. 
Oh, I 'm afraid you '11 be ill next ! 
[Jo lights lamp. Mr. Laurence gets upy 

walks about. 

Jo 
No, indeed I sha'n't, you precious 
child. I 'm only — why, I 'm liable 
to be subject to fits of coughing any 
time — they don't mean a thing. 
[Hannah puts her head in at door. 

Hannah 

I just wanted to ask you. Miss Jo, 
whether I 'd better — 



94 " Little Women " Play 

[Jo rushes to door^ pushes Hannah out he- 
fore her^ and closes door behind them. 

Beth 
[astonished ) 

Why, what is the matter with Jo, 
I wonder ? 

Mr. Laurence 

{soothing tone) 

It's just her way, you know. 
\Frowns at Jo, who enters door at left^ 
much flushed. 

Beth 
[to Jo) 

Where are Meg and Amy ? 

Jo 

{quickly) 

Meg has gone for — for a drive 
with Laurie, and Amy — well, she's 



"Little Women'' Play 95 

running about here and there (laughs 
nervously) ; you know how Amy is — 
never in one place. 

Beth 

{turns in chair to look with surprise at Jo) 

Why, Jo ! I think Amy likes to 

sit still better than most girls of her 

age. You look so queer, Jo. Is 

anything the matter with Amy ? 

Jo 

{hurries to chair and smooths Beth's hair) 
Mercy, no ! Why, there 's noth- 
ing the matter with Amy or Meg, 
or me. 
[Mr. Laurence, standing by piano ^ mutters) 

Beth 
Oh, Jo, father is n't worse, is he .? 



96 " Little Women " Play 

Jo 

Father — oh, no ! 

Beth 

{trembling) 

Then it 's Marmee ! Oh, Jo, is 
Marmee ill? Do tell me. 

Mr. Laurence 

[muttering) 

Well, we 're a pretty pair of blun- 
derers, I must say ! 

Jo 

{kneels before Beth, takes both hands) 
She is n't ill, dear ; she 's coming 

home. 

* Beth 

{grasps Jo's arm) 

When ? 

\^Sound of voices and steps outside door. 



"Little Women" Play 99 
Jo 

{desperately y as door opens) 

She 's coming to-night — now — 
this very minute ! Mr. Laurence 
sent for her, and — here she is ! 
[Enter Mrs. March, with Meg and Amy 

clinging to her^ followed by Laurie, and 

Hannah, who has apron at eyes. 

Beth 

[starts from her chair) 
Marmee ! 

[Jo jumps upy moves back of chair ^ leans 
against wall^ hands on heart. 

Mrs. March 
[holds out arms to Beth) 
My dear little girl ! My little 
Beth ! 

[Folds Beth in arms. Meg and Amy hug 
each other. Hannah sniffs loudly. 



loo ''Little Women'' Play 

Laurie goes to right of table^ shakes 
hands violently with his grandfather. 

Beth 
Oh, Marmee, it 's so good to have 
you back ! But where 's father ? 

Mrs. March 
He 's coming before long. {Puts 
Beth gently back in chair ^ turns to Jo, holds 
out arms^ ^o falls into them. And is my 

tall girl glad to see me, too ? 

Jo 

[laughing and crying^ 

I don't believe I ever was so glad 
of anything before in all my born 
days ! Mr. Laurence and I had such 
a piece of work trying to tell Beth 
you were coming, and not excite her. 



^^ Little Women" Play loi 

And if we had n't been just as calm 

and collected as clocks I don't know 

what would have happened. 

\I)rops her head on Mrs. March's shoul- 
der as they stand against rear wall^ be- 
hind rocking-chair. Beth turns in chair 
to smile up at them. Mr. Laurence 
and Laurie shake hands again warmly. 
Mr. Laurence pats Laurie on shoulder 
at same time with left hand. Hannah 
dusts chair near doorway with apron^ 
sniffling. Meg and Amy stand with 
arms around each other as curtain falls. 



THE LITTLE WOMEN SERIES 

BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT 

Miss Alcott is really a benefactor of households. — H. H, 




LITTLE WOMEN. 
LITTLE MEN. 
EIGHT COUSINS. 
UNDER THE LILACS. 



AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL. 
JO'S BOYS. 
ROSE IN BLOOM. 
JACK AND JILL. 



\()i?to. Cloth, Illustrated. Each,%\,^o, Eight volumes^ 
uniforui^ i7t box^ $12.00. 



THE SPINNING-WHEEL SERIES 

BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT 




SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES. | PROVERB STORIES. 
A GARLAND FOR GIRLS. | SILVER PITCHERS. 

idmo. Cloth, Illustrated, Each, $1.2^. Four volumes^ 
uniform^ in box, $5.00 

Miss Alcott has a faculty of entering into the lives and feelings of 
children, and to this cause, to the consciousness among her readers that 
they are hearing about people like themselves, instead of abstract qualities 
labelled with names, the popularity of her books is due. —Sarah J. 
Hale. 

Miss Alcott is always welcome, not only to the boys and girls she 
has taken under her special patronage, but also to their elders. . . . Miss 
Alcott's stories are thoroughly healthy, full of racy fun and humor, even 
when she is teaching some extra hard task which must be learned and 
accomplished. — London Athenceum. 

CONTENTS. 

SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES. Grandma's Story ; Tabby's Table- 
Cloth; Eli's Education ; Onawandah ; Little Things ; The Banner of 
Beaumanoir ; Jerseys, or the Girl's Ghost ; The Little House in the 
Garden; Daisy's Jewel-Box, and how she filled it; Corny's Cata- 
mount ; The Cooking Class ; The Hare and the Tortoise. 

A GARLAND FOR GIRLS. May Flowers; An Ivy Spray aud Ladies* 
Slippers; Pansies; Water-Lilies ; Poppies and Wheat ; Little Button- 
Rose ; Mountain-Laurel and Maidenhair. 

SILVER PITCHERS. This volume contains, in addition to the title 
story, Transcendental Wild Oats ; The Romance of a Summer Day ; 
My Rococo Watch ; By the River, a Legend of the Assabet ; Letty's 
Tramp ; Scarlet Stockings ; Independence. 

PROVERB STORIES. Kitty's Glass Day, Aunt Kipp; Psyche's Art; 
A Country Christmas; On Picket Duty; My Red Cap; What the 
Bells Saw and Said j The Baron's Gloves. 



AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG 

BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT 





SIR JOSEPH PORTER, K.C.B. 



COUSIN HBBB. 



MY BOYS. Tessa's Surprises; Buzz; The Children's Joke ; Dande- 
lion ; Madam Cluck and Her Family ; A Curious Call ; Tilly's Christ- 
mas ; My Little Gentleman ; etc. 

SHAWL-STRAPS. A voyage to Brittany, France, Switzerland, Italy, 

and London. 

CUPID AND CHOW-CHOW. Huckleberry; Nelly's Hospital; 
Grandma's Team; Fairy Pinafores; Mamma's Plot; Kate's Choice; 
The Moss People ; What Fanny Heard ; and A Marine Merry-Making. 

MY GIRLS. Lost in a London Fog; The Boy's Joke, and who got the 
best of it; Roses and Forget-me-nots; Old Major; What the Girls 
Did; Little Neighbors; Marjorie's Three Gifts; etc. 

JIMMY'S CRUISE IN THE PINAFORE. Two Little Travellers ; 
A Jolly Fourth ; Seven Black Cats ; Rosa's Tale ; Lunch ; A Bright 
Idea ; How They Camped Out ; My Little School Girl ; etc. 

^N OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING. How it All Happened; 
The Doll's Journey from Minnesota to Maine; Morning Glories; 
Shadow Children ; Poppy's Pranks ; What the Swallows Did ; etc. 

l6mo. Cloth, Illustrated. Each, $\.oo. Six volumes^ 
uniform, in box, $6.00 



LULU'S LIBRARY 



BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT 




Vol. I. A CHRISTMAS DREAM; The Candy Country; Naughty 
Jocko; The Skipping Shoes; Cockyloo ; Rosy's Journey; How 
They Ran Away ; The Fairy Box ; A Hole in the Wall ; The Piggy 
Girl ; The Three Frogs ; and Baa ! Baa ! 

Vol. H. the FROST KING AND HOW THE FAIRIES CON- 
QUERED HIM; Lilybell and Thistledown, or the Fairy Sleeping 
Beauty; Ripple the Water Sprite; Eva's Visit to Fairyland; Sun- 
shine and Her Brothers and Sisters ; The Fairy Spring ; Queen 
Aster ; The Brownie and the Princess ; Mermaids ; Little Bud ; 
The Flower's Story. 

Vol. III. RECOLLECTIONS OF MY CHILDHOOD; A Christ- 
mas Turkey and How it Came ; The Silver Party ; The Blind Lark ; 
Music and Macaroni ; The Little Red Purse ; Sophie's Secret ; 
Dolly's Bedstead ; and Trudel's Siege. 

Three volumes. i6mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Each, $i.oo 
The three volumes^ tinifonn^ in box^ $3.00 



